Probability of Developing Frozen Shoulder

Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) affects approximately 2-5% of the general population, with a peak incidence between ages 40 and 60. The condition is significantly more common in people with diabetes (affecting 10-20% of diabetics), thyroid disorders, heart disease, and Parkinson's disease. Women are slightly more affected than men.

Frozen shoulder develops in three stages: the freezing stage (gradual onset of pain and increasing stiffness, lasting 2-9 months), the frozen stage (pain may diminish but stiffness remains severe, lasting 4-12 months), and the thawing stage (gradual improvement in motion, lasting 5-24 months). The entire process can take 1-3 years to resolve.

Treatment focuses on pain management and maintaining/restoring range of motion. Physical therapy is the cornerstone of treatment. Other options include NSAIDs, corticosteroid injections into the joint capsule, hydrodilatation (injecting fluid to stretch the capsule), manipulation under anesthesia, and arthroscopic capsular release for resistant cases. About 90% of patients recover with conservative treatment, though some may have mild residual motion loss. The condition rarely recurs in the same shoulder but can develop in the opposite shoulder (about 6-17% risk).